France-Uzbekistan: Agricultural Cooperation
France and Uzbekistan Deepen Economic and Agricultural Partnership
SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan – The recent EU-Central asia summit in Samarkand highlighted the growing economic relationship between France and Uzbekistan, with French companies increasingly seeking new markets in the Central Asian nation.
Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1992, France and Uzbekistan have expanded cooperation across economic, scientific, cultural, and especially agricultural sectors. A November 2023 visit by French President Emmanuel Macron further energized this partnership. This was followed by the signing of a joint treaty after the Uzbek President’s visit in March 2025.
Agricultural Trade Sees Significant Growth
Agricultural trade between the two countries reached nearly $60 million in 2024. Uzbekistan’s exports totaled $4.4 million, while French imports reached $55.5 million. This represents an increase from $41.1 million in total trade in 2023.
Uzbekistan exports processed fruits and vegetables,grapes,and dried fruits. France exports confectionery,dairy products,seeds,alcohol,tobacco,animal feed,and poultry to Uzbekistan.
Agriculture: A Key Component of Bilateral Cooperation
Agriculture accounts for 28% of Uzbekistan’s GDP,making agricultural cooperation a strategic priority. This partnership is formalized through a joint declaration signed in January 2023 by the agriculture ministries of both nations.
The collaboration focuses on food security, animal breeding, plant health, logistics, and trade. Special emphasis is placed on livestock development, with agreements facilitating the export of cattle, poultry, ostriches, and bovine semen. Currently, 89 French companies export products subject to veterinary controls to Uzbekistan.
Imports include livestock, poultry products, meat, dairy, animal feed and seeds. This cooperation aims to bolster Uzbekistan’s agricultural sector while strengthening strategic ties between the two countries.
Enhanced Quarantine and Phytosanitary Measures
Plant protection is a notably active area of cooperation. Both countries are working together within international organizations like CIPV and EPPP to improve plant health security. Uzbekistan is now able to export fruits and vegetables to France, provided they have the required phytosanitary certification.
Uzbekistan has secured a 1,200-square-meter exhibition space at the International Sial Show in Paris in 2026, a twelve-fold increase from 2024. A “Uzbekistan Products” fair is also planned for 2025 at the Rungis wholesale market near Paris.
Moreover, Uzbekistan is participating in the European scientific project Euphresco III and has implemented electronic exchange of phytosanitary certificates via the Ephyto platform, reducing bureaucratic hurdles and logistics expenses.
Scientific and Educational Collaboration
The partnership extends to scientific research and agricultural education. Uzbekistan is collaborating with French institutions such as INRAE, CIRAD, the University of Bordeaux, and the French veterinary institute. The Agricultural University of Tashkent is involved in training programs designed to educate specialists according to European standards.
These exchanges facilitate the adoption of modern technologies and innovative teaching methods within Uzbekistan’s agricultural education system.
France adn Uzbekistan: A growing Partnership in Agriculture and Beyond
Are you curious about the increasing cooperation between France and Uzbekistan? This Q&A provides insights into their strengthening relationship, with a particular focus on agriculture and economic ties.
What is the current state of the relationship between France and Uzbekistan?
The relationship between France and Uzbekistan is flourishing. Recent developments, including the EU-Central Asia summit in Samarkand, highlight a growing economic partnership. As establishing diplomatic ties in 1992, the two nations have expanded cooperation in several sectors, especially agriculture.
What roles do diplomatic visits play in this partnership?
High-level visits have been instrumental in energizing the relationship. President Emmanuel Macron’s visit in November 2023 was a notable event, followed by a joint treaty after the uzbek President’s visit in March 2025.
How vital is agriculture to the France-Uzbekistan relationship?
Agriculture is a cornerstone of the partnership. With agriculture representing 28% of Uzbekistan’s GDP, cooperation in this sector is a strategic priority. This is formalized through a joint declaration signed by both countries’ agriculture ministries in January 2023.
How has agricultural trade grown between France and Uzbekistan?
Agricultural trade has seen significant growth. In 2024, trade neared $60 million. Uzbekistan’s exports totaled $4.4 million, while French imports reached $55.5 million. this presents a marked rise from the $41.1 million total trade in 2023.
What agricultural products does Uzbekistan export to France?
Uzbekistan exports a variety of processed agricultural products, including:
Processed fruits and vegetables
Grapes
Dried fruits
What agricultural products does France export to Uzbekistan?
France exports a diverse range of agricultural goods to Uzbekistan, including:
Confectionery
Dairy products
Seeds
Alcohol
tobacco
Animal feed
Poultry
What are the key areas of agricultural cooperation between france and Uzbekistan?
The collaboration between France and Uzbekistan in agriculture focuses on:
Food security
Animal breeding
Plant health
Logistics
* Trade
Special emphasis is given to livestock development, with agreements supporting the export of cattle, poultry, ostriches, and bovine semen.
What is the role of quarantine and phytosanitary measures in this partnership?
Plant protection is a dynamic area of cooperation. Both nations are working within international organizations to enhance plant health security. Uzbekistan can now export fruits and vegetables to France, provided they have the required phytosanitary certification.
How is Uzbekistan promoting its agricultural products in France?
Uzbekistan is actively promoting its agricultural products in France. The country has secured a 1,200-square-meter exhibition space at the international Sial Show in paris in 2026, a twelve-fold increase from 2024. Furthermore, an ”Uzbekistan Products” fair is scheduled for the Rungis wholesale market near Paris in 2025.
What other forms of cooperation exist between the two countries?
Beyond trade,France and Uzbekistan are collaborating on scientific research and agricultural education.
What are some examples of scientific and educational partnerships?
Uzbekistan is partnering with French institutions like INRAE, CIRAD, the University of Bordeaux, and the French veterinary institute. The agricultural university of Tashkent is involved in training programs designed to educate specialists according to European standards, promoting the adoption of modern technologies within the Uzbek agricultural education system.
What are the benefits of this partnership for Uzbekistan?
This cooperation aims to bolster uzbekistan’s agricultural sector while strengthening strategic ties with France. Key benefits include access to new technologies, increased export opportunities, and enhanced plant health security.
What is the meaning of the joint declaration between the agriculture ministries?
The joint declaration signed in January 2023 formalizes the strategic importance of agricultural cooperation. It sets the framework for collaboration across various areas, including food security and livestock development.
Can you summarize the key trade statistics?
Certainly. Here’s a table summarizing the key trade figures:
| Year | Total Trade (USD millions) | Uzbekistan Exports (USD millions) | French Imports (USD millions) |
|—|—|—|—|
| 2023 | 41.1 | – | - |
| 2024 | ~60 | 4.4 | 55.5 |